Method and apparatus for making frames for strut-type garment hangers

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus are disclosed for making the wire frames for strut type garment hangers in which the hanger hook portion is single stranded and the shoulder portions include oppositely facing side angle bends for insertion in the hanger tube or strut. Strands of wire are fed along a common axis toward each other from separate reels of wire. The ends of the wire strands enter means for forming the shoulders of the resulting hanger frame and for forming side angle bends and hooks at the shoulders and are cut to different lengths. After formation of the shoulders and side angle bends and hooks, the opposite ends of the previously cut wire strands are twisted together and the longer strand is bent to form the hanger hook.

Barnes et al.

[ June 4, 1974 TIMING MECHANISM METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING Primary Examinerl,owell A. Larson FRAMES FOR STRUT-TYPE GARMENT Attorney, Agent, or Firm.l. Gibson Semmes HANGERS Inventors: Dayton W. Barnes; Robert D. [57] ABSTRACT if] b th f G 'll C 0 0 reeflevl e Tenn Method and apparatus are disclosed for making the l l Asslgfleel 1 -9 Grfieflvllle, Temlwire frames for strut type garment hangers in which [32] Filed. Man 26 1973 the hanger hook portion is single stranded and the shoulder portions include oppositely facing side angle 1 pp 344,645 bends for insertion in the hanger tube or strut. Strands of wire are fed along a common axis toward each [52] US CL 140/8L5 other from separate reels of wire. The ends of the wire [51] 1m.cl-.111111111111116.1111"'f'ifi'iiiiiiiii'szu45/02 emee meeee fee teeming the eheuldeee of the [58] Field 0 Search 81 223/85 resulting hanger frame and for forming side angle 223/ bends and hooks at the shoulders and are cut to different lengths. After formation of the shoulders and side [56] References Cited angle bends and hooks, the opposite ends of the previously cut wire strands are twisted together and the UNITED STATES PATENTS longer strand is bent to form the hanger hook. 3,047.03l 7/1962 Came et al /815 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 24 POWER SUPPLY WIRE TWISTING 8 HOOK FORMING MECHANISM MTEHIEOJU! 41974 3.814.143

Sum 1N2 24 POWER SUPPLY a mum; MECHANISM WIRE TWIST N6 8' 1 'HOOKFORMING MECHANISM METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING FRAMES FOR STRUT-TYPE GARMENT HANGERS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The apparatus disclosed in this application may be used to manufacture the unique garment hanger shown in our co-pending application Ser. No. 270,672, filed July 11, 1972, for a GARMENT HANGER, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Apparatus for making wire garment hangers has been known for many years. In general, two types of hangers have been made by such machines. The older type of hanger is made from a single strand of wire which is bent into the familiar hanger configuration and secured by twisting one end of the strand about the other, leaving enough additional length on one end of the strand to form the hanger hook. Such hangers occasionally are used with cardboard trouser guards which slip over the bottom wire strand of the hanger to protect the garments hung thereover from creasing. In recent years, a second type of hanger has been developed in which the bottom wire strand of the hanger frame is omitted and replaced by a cardboard tube or strut which mates with bent portions included at the shoulder portion of the hanger frame. These hangers are made by bending a strand of wire near its midpoint, forming a twisted hanger neck portion and hook at the midpoint, and forming the ends of the strand into the bent portions which engage the tube or strut. The hook portion is thus double-stranded, which often causes it to stick in conveyors at cleaning establishments and to complicate identity ticketing. This double-stranded hookhas been necessary in prior art strut hangers to provide the nec essary rigidity in the assembled hanger, as explained in the applicants application Ser. No. 270,672.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Numerous prior art devices have been used for manufacturing the above types of hangers. U.S. Pat. Nos.: 1,695,603 to Magidson; 1,888,803 to Moore; 2,041,805 to Backer; 2,081,167 to Brownstein; and 2,646,085 to Brekle; show known means for forming the older type of hanger or minor variations thereof, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,047,031, Came, et al., shows apparatus for making the double-stranded hook type of strut hanger, None of these references disclose means for forming a side angle bend and hook in a hanger frame in the manner of the applicants invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The method and apparatus of this invention are used to manufacture strut type hangers, which resemble the older type of hanger discussed above in that the hook is single-stranded, by twisting two separate strands of wire together to form the neck portion of the hanger and the hook portion, using known wire forming apparatus. The need for a double-stranded hook is obviated by the applicants unique method and apparatus which form a side angle bend and hook at each shoulder of the hanger frame, which coacts with the strut member to provide a rigid assembly. None of the above references disclose or suggest the unique combination of means for fonning a side angle bend and hook at the shoulder of the hanger frame, which permits forming a single stranded hook portion at the neck portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the hanger making machine of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of the side angle bend wire forming mechanism for one shoulder of the hanger frame, with particular emphasis on the lower wire forming anvil.

FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of the assembled side angle bend wire forming mechanism for one shoulder of the hanger frame, with the wire strand located against the stop in the upper wire forming anvil.

FIG. 4 shows an elevation view as in FIG. 3, wherein the flipper arm has moved approximately half way through its travel and has begun to form the side angle bend against the lower wire forming anvil and the shoulder portion of the hanger frame against the upper wire forming anvil.

FIG. 5 shows an elevation view as in FIG. 4, wherein the flipper arm has completed its travel.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of one shoulder of a hanger frame using the apparatus of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT There follows a detailed description of this invention, reference being made to the drawing in which like reference numerals identify like elements of structure in each FIGURE.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a hanger making machine comprising the elements of the invention. Wire for the strut hanger frames is supplied from reels l0 and 12 to drive wheel and wire straightener assemblies l4 and 16 from which his driven through cutters l8 and 20, all in accordance with practices and using equipment well-known in the art. The strands of wire pass through cutters l8 and 20 and into contact with stops located in upper wire forming anvil 22. The cutter on one side of the machine may be located further from upper wire fonning anvil 22 to provide an additional length of wire to be formed into the hook portion of the hanger above the twisted neck portion. This arrangement is preferred since it results in a hanger with a single-stranded hook portion; however, if de sired, the cutters could be spaced so as to provide a double-stranded hook portion.

When the wire contacts the stop in upper wire forming anvil 22, power supply and timing mechanism 24 actuates cutters l8 and 20 and flipper arms 26 and 28. The power supply and timing mechanism may be any of a number of prior art devices such as those used with machines for making hangers of the older type discussed above which has been modified in accordance with the teachings of this invention. For example, the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 2,081,167 would be modi fied by the addition of a second wire reel assembly, drive wheel and straightener and cutter, all actuated in the manner of the corresponding assemblies already taught by this patent. The patented device would also be modified by including the unique side angle bend forming apparatus of this invention. As the addition of the elements of this invention to known hanger making apparatus would be within the ordinary mechanical skill of one in the art, the specific details of modifying a given machine are not required for understanding of this invention.

The flipper arms bend the wires around the upper wire forming anvil 22 and lower wire forming anvils 30 and 32, thereby raising the outboard ends of the wires to bridge 34, located below the wire twisting and hook forming mechanism 36, of known design. As twisting mechanism 36 is actuated by timing mechanism 24, flipper arms 26 and 28 are retracted to their original position to permit the entry of the wire for the next hanger frame. Simultaneously with the retraction of the flipper arms, ejectors 38 and 40 (F IG. 2) are actuated outward by timing mechanism 24 to push the lower positions of the just-formed hanger frame off the lower wire forming anvils to permit the wire for the next hanger frame to pass over the lower anvils while the previous frame is being completed by twisting mechanism 36 and ejected from the machine to a storage area (not shown). Meanwhile, the drive wheel and straightener mechanisms 14 and 116 have been activated to bring the wire in for the next hanger frame. The inventive apparatus permits high speed operation to produce the hanger frames which are then combined with a tube or strut portion, in accordance with the teachings of the applicants co-pending application Ser. No. 270,672.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of the unique side angle bend wire forming mechanism for one side of the hanger. The opposite side is identical in function, but oriented so that the side angle bends are made to opposite sides of the plane of the hanger frame as taught by application Ser. No. 270,672. Hollow flipper arm drive shaft 42 is actuated by timing mechanism 24 so as to oscillate between its extreme positions as discussed above. Mounted on shaft 42 is flipper arm 26, which includes radially extending arm portion 44 and annularflange portion 46. Attached to flange portion 46 is threaded pin 48, on which is mounted eccentrically bored cam nut 50, secured by fastener 51. Cam nut 50 bends the wire around lower anvil 30. The location of the high point of cam nut 50 may be adjusted in use so as to provide more or less bend in the wire as it is forced beneath lower anvil 30. Extending through hollow shaft 42 is ejector shaft 52 on which is mounted ejector 38, substantially as shown, and actuated by timing mechanism 24. Mounted on arm portion 44 is formsov ing roller 54, which bends the wire around upper anvil 22 thereby bringing the outboard end of the wire to bridge 34. Superposed above flipper arm 26 and its attachments is upper wire forming anvil 22. Each end of anvil 22 includes a recess 56 within which cam nut rests while a new wire is introduced. Depending from recess 56 is a wall portion 58 which forms a stop surface for the incoming wire. The lead-in edge of anvil 22 is curved as at 60 and 62 to facilitate entry of the wire and includes a recessed portion 64 and curved forming surface 66 within and against which the shoulder portion of the hanger frame is formed under the action of roller 54.

Located below upper anvil 22 and essentially coplanar therewith is lower anvil 30. The upper and lower 'anvils are spaced from each other sufficiently to permit the wire to run between them and contact wall portion 58. The centerline of flipper arm shaft 42 is located approximately on the line of travel of the wire, to permit ejector 38 to contact the completed side angle bend and hook of each hanger frame and move it to permit the wire for the next hanger frame to enter the space between upper anvil 22 and lower anvil 30. The location of the lead edge 68 of anvil 30 relative to the arc of movement of cam nut 50 may be varied depending on the sharpness of the bend desired in the side angle bend and hook portion of the hanger frame. Anvil 30 is cut away as at 70 on the lead-in side to permit roller 54 to move completely out of the way of the incoming wire; and on the side angle bend and hook side, as at 72 to permit cam nut 50 to bend the wire beneath the anvil.

The unique geometry of the forming surfaces of anvil 30 provides the side angle bend and hook disclosed in application Ser. No. 270,672. The wire is guided initially into approximately the center line or axis of the upper forming surface 74 by tapered guide groove 76 and continues on into or nearly into contact with wall portion 58, at which point cutter 18 actuates and flipper arm 26 begins to rotate. As cam nut 50 forces the end of the wire downward and inward toward cutaway 72, forming surface 78 causes the wire to swing away from the center line of forming surface 74, forming the side angle bend. Surface 78 commences with a smooth curved edge 80 in surface 74 and slopes gently downward and outward to-edges 82, 84 and 86, substantially as shown. Forming surfaces 88 and 90, joined by lead edge 68 and anvil 30, guide and support the wire as cam nut 50 bends it around lead edge 68, forming the hook. Cutaway 92 below edge 84 permits the wire to bend away from the centerline of forming surface 74 while bending around and under the lead edge 68 without snagging on the lead edge when cam nut 50 moves into cutaway 72. Ejector 38 slides briefly over surface 74 when actuated by timing mechanism 24 and then retracts, thereby moving the completed side angle bend and hook out of the way to permit the next wire to enter. The precise geometry of the forming surfaces may be varied as desired, depending on the diameter of the wire used, the physical properties of the wire material, the amount of the side angle bend desired and the tightness of the bottom hook desired.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the assembly of the elements shown in FIG. 2. At this point, the wire has just reached wall portion 58 and cutter 18 has been actuated. Flipper arm 26 is just beginning its movement which will bring cam nut 50 and roller 54 into contact with the wire to deform it over anvils 22 and 30.

FIG. 4 shows the elements of FIG. 3 at the point where cam nut 50 has forced the wire downward and inward toward cutaway 72 and forming surface 78 has started to bend the wire away from the center line of forming surface 74. The unique side angle bend and bottom hook are approximately half-formed. Roller 54 has begun to bend the wire over forming surface 66.

FIG. 5 shows the elements of FIG. 4 at the point where cam nut 50 and roller 54 have reached their maximum travel. Wire twisting and hook forming mechanism 36 (not shown in this Figure) has been engaged with the outboard ends of the wires above bridge 34. The flipper arm will now retract to the position of FIG. 3 and ejector 38 will be activated by timing mechanism 24 to push the just-formed side angle bend and bottom hook off lower anvil 30 to permit the entry of the wire for the next hanger frame. In this Figure the function of cam nut 50 is best illustrated. Depending on the location of the high point on the eccentric surface of the cam nut 50, the end of the wire will be bent closer to or farther from the undersurface of anvil 30.

The tightness of the bend at this location on the hanger is of importance concerning the inside diameters of the hanger tubes or struts.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the shoulder of a hanger frame made using the portion of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The plane of a conventional hanger of the old style having a single-stranded hook is defined by section 94 of the frame shoulder and the dashed line 96, which follows the axis of the bottom strand of the old style hanger. Due to the coaction of roller 54 and surface 66, an acute angle shoulder bend 98 has been formed in the wire. Due to the coaction of forming surface 78, the wire and the cam nut 50, section 100 of the wire has been bent to the side out of the plane of the hanger to form the side angle. Due to the coaction of cam nut 50 and forming surfaces 88 and 90, the end 102 of the wire has been bent back essentially upon itself beneath section 100 to form the bottom hook. The opposite shoulder of the hanger frame is bent to the other side of the plane of the hanger in a similar manner.

The invention disclosed has the advantages of providing a strut hanger frame which uses a minimum of wire due to the single-stranded hook. The invention may be applied to machines used for making the older hanger types with a minimum of modification.

Having described our invention in such clear and complete terms as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use our apparatus and to practice our method, we claim:

1. A method of forming a resilient wire frame for a strut type garment hanger, comprising the steps of:

A. cutting two lengths of essentially straight, flexible wire;

B. bending the respective lengths of wire to an acute angle about a point near one end thereof;

C. bending the one end of each length of wire out of the plane defined by the portions thereof on either side of the bend and back essentially upon and be neath itself;

D. orienting the lengths of wire so that the one end of each length of wire faces oppositely to the other;

E. twisting the other ends together to form a neck for the frame; and F. bending at least one of the other ends to form a hook for the frame. 2. An apparatus for forming a resilient wire frame for a strut-type garment hanger, comprising:

A. means for providing first and second series of essentially straight, predetermined lengths of flexible wire;

B. means for bending the respective lengths of wire from each series to an acute angle bend about a point near one end thereof to form shoulder portions of the hanger frame;

C. means for bending the one end of each length of wire from the first series out of the plane defined by the portions thereof on either side of the bend and back essentially upon and beneath itself, to form a first strut engaging side angle bend and bottom hook;

D. means for bending the one end of each length of wire from the second series out of the plane defined by the portions thereof on either side of the bend and back essentially upon andbeneath itself, to form a second strut engaging side angle bend and bottom hook; whereby the first and second side angle bends and bottom hooks protrude from opposite sides of the finished hanger frame;

E. means for twisting the other ends of lengths of wire from each source together to form a neck for the frame; and

F. means for bending at least one of the other ends to form a hanger hook for the frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for providing lengths of wire comprises:

A1. first and second sources of wire;

A2. means for straightening and conveying the wire from the sources in axially opposite directions;

A}. means for cutting the wire from the straightening and conveying means into predetermined lengths.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for bending each length of wire to an acute angle at one end comprises:

oppositely facing means for retaining each wire of each series near the one end thereof;

B 2 a curved wire forming surface located adjacent the retaining means;

B3. roller means for bending the lengths of wire around the curved wire forming surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for forming the strut engaging side angle bends and bottom hooks comprise:

Cl. means for retaining each wire of the first series near the one end thereof;

C2. a first forming surface having a first axis, for supporting each wire of the first series essentially along the axis of the first forming surface, and having a first leading edge beyond which the one end may extend;

C3. a first side angle forming surface sloping downwardly and outwardly from the first forming surface, laterally away from the first axis and toward the first leading edge thereof;

Q4. a first cutaway portion located below the first leading edge of the first forming surface; and

C5. first means for bending the wire along the first and side angle forming surfaces, around the first leading edge, and into the first cutaway portion, thereby to form a first strut engaging side angle bend and bottom hook;

ll-a tisan fq re n n sash w re ott l ss nd sries near the one end thereof;

Dita seco r tts.sutfassh iasa s nq axis,

for supporting each wire of the second series essentially along the axis of the forming surface. and a leading edge beyond which the one end may extend in a direction axially opposite to the one end of the wires of the first series;

D3. a second side angle forming surface sloping downwardly and outwardly from the second forming surface, laterally away from the second axis and toward the second leading edge thereof;

D4. a second cutaway portion located below the second leading edge of the second forming surface; and

D5. second means for bending the wire along the second and side angle forming surfaces, around the second leading edge and into the second cutaway portion, thereby to form a second strut engaging side angle bend and bottom hook.

3 ,8 14,143 i 7 8 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further including means nd means for bending the wire along the first and secfor ejecting the completed first and second side angle bends and bottom hooks from contact with the various forming surfaces. Justable Cam 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second flat and sloping forming surfaces comprises an ad- 

1. A method of forming a resilient wire frame for a strut type garment hanger, comprising the steps of: A. cutting two lengths of essentially straight, flexible wire; B. bending the respective lengths of wire to an acute angle about a point near one end thereof; C. bending the one end of each length of wire out of the plane defined by the portions thereof on either side of the bend and back essentially upon and beneath itself; D. orienting the lengths of wire so that the one end of each length of wire faces oppositely to the other; E. twisting the other ends together to form a neck for the frame; and F. bending at least one of the other ends to form a hook for the frame.
 2. An apparatus for forming a resilient wire frame for a strut-type garment hanger, comprising: A. means for providing first and second series of essentially straight, predetermined lengths of flexible wire; B. means for bending the respective lengths of wire from each series to an acute angle bend about a point near one end thereof to form shoulder portions of the hanger frame; C. means for bending the one end of each length of wire from the first series out of the plane defined by the portions thereof on either side of the bend and back essentially upon and beneath itself, to form a first strut engaging side angle bend and bottom hook; D. means for bending the one end of each length of wire from the second series out of the plane defined by the portions thereof on either side of the bend and back essentially upon and beneath itself, to form a second strut engaging side angle bend and bottom hook; whereby the first and second side angle bends and bottom hooks protrude from opposite sides of the finished hanger frame; E. means for twisting the other ends of lengths of wire from each source together to form a neck for the frame; and F. means for bending at least one of the other ends to form a hanger hook for the frame.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for providing lengths of wire comprises: A1. first and second sources of wire; A2. means for straightening and conveying the wire from the sources in axially opposite directions; A3. means for cutting the wire from the straightening and conveying means into predetermined lengths.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for bending each length of wire to an acute angle at one end comprises: B1. oppositely facing means for retaining each wire of each series near the one end thereof; B2. a curved wire forming surface located adjacent the retaining means; B3. roller means for bending the lengths of wire around the curved wire forming surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for forming the strut engaging side angle bends and bottom hooks comprise: C1. means for retaining each wire of the first series near the one end thereof; C2. a first forming surface having a first axis, for supporting each wire of the first series essentially along the axis of the first forming surface, and having a first leading edge beyond which the one end may extend; C3. a first side angle forming surface sloping downwardly and outwardly from the first forming surface, laterally away from the first axis and toward the first leading edge thereof; C4. a first cutaway portion located below the first leading edge of the first forming surface; and C5. first means for bending the wire along the first and side angle forming surfaces, around the first leading edge, and into the first cutaway portion, thereby to form a first strut engaging side angle bend and bottom hook; D1. means for retaining each wire of the second series near the one end thereof; D2. a second forming surface having a second axis, for supporting each wire of the second series essentially along the axis of the forming surface, and a leading edge beyond which the one end may extend in a direction axially opposite to the one end of the wires of the first series; D3. a second side angle forming surface sloping downwardly and outwardly from the second forming surface, laterally away from the second axis and toward the second leading edge thereof; D4. a second cutaway portion located below the second leading edge of the second forming surface; and D5. second means for bending the wire along the second and side angle forming surfaces, around the second leading edge and into the second cutaway portion, thereby to form a second strut engaging side angle bend and bottom hook.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further including means for ejecting the completed first and second side angle bends and bottom hooks from contact with the various forming surfaces.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second means for bending the wire along the first and second flat and sloping forming surfaces comprises an adjustable cam nut. 